backwards

The Word “Backwards”: Meaning, Usage, and Translations Across 30 Languages

The word “backwards” primarily refers to a direction or movement opposite to forward, but it can also be used metaphorically to describe regression, reversal, or a return to a previous state. It is often used to describe physical movement, actions that go in reverse, or even times when situations or progress go in the opposite direction. “Backwards” conveys the idea of something going in the reverse direction, either literally or figuratively.


Meaning of “Backwards”:

  1. As an Adverb (Physical Direction):
    • “Backwards” describes motion that goes in the opposite direction from forward, typically moving in reverse.
    • Example: “He took a few steps backwards after hearing the noise.”
  2. In Figurative Terms (Metaphorical Use):
    • “Backwards” can describe a situation or progress moving in the opposite direction from what was expected or desired. It can also indicate a retreat or regression in a process, development, or understanding.
    • Example: “The company’s financial situation has been moving backwards for months.”
  3. In Time or Sequence:
    • It can refer to a backward movement in time, such as reflecting on the past or retracing events or steps in reverse order.
    • Example: “She looked backwards, remembering the days she spent at her childhood home.”
  4. In Comparison (Inadequate or Primitive):
    • “Backwards” may also describe something as being old-fashioned, outdated, or behind the times in comparison to current standards or advancements.
    • Example: “Some countries are still considered to be backwards in terms of technology.”

Common Uses of “Backwards” in Sentences:

  1. In Physical Contexts:
    • “The car reversed backwards to make space for the incoming vehicle.”
    • “She walked backwards to avoid tripping over the rock behind her.”
  2. In Social and Cultural Contexts:
    • “The country seemed to be moving backwards in terms of social progress.”
    • “The traditional views of the community were seen as backwards by younger generations.”
  3. In Technological Contexts:
    • “The company was accused of moving backwards with their outdated technology.”
    • “Some cultures view certain technological advances as backwards, fearing the loss of tradition.”
  4. In Time or Sequence:
    • “He tried to remember the events by thinking backwards, retracing his steps.”
    • “The children enjoyed watching the film in reverse, seeing the story unfold backwards.”

Translations of “Backwards” in 30 Languages

Language Translation Example Sentence
Spanish Hacia atrás “Él dio unos pasos hacia atrás después de escuchar el ruido.”
French En arrière “Elle a marché en arrière pour éviter de tomber.”
German Rückwärts “Das Auto fuhr rückwärts, um Platz zu machen.”
Italian Indietro “L’auto si è mossa indietro per fare spazio.”
Portuguese Para trás “Ela andou para trás para evitar tropeçar na pedra.”
Dutch Achteruit “De auto reed achteruit om ruimte te maken.”
Russian Назад (Nazad) “Он шагнул назад после того, как услышал шум.”
Chinese (Simplified) 向后 (Xiàng hòu) “他向后走了一些步骤。”
Japanese 後ろへ (Ushiro e) “彼は後ろに数歩歩いた。”
Korean 뒤로 (Dwi-ro) “그는 소리를 듣고 뒤로 몇 걸음 물러섰다.”
Hindi पीछे (Peechhe) “उसने शोर सुनकर कुछ कदम पीछे हटे।”
Bengali পেছনে (Pechone) “সে কিছু পদক্ষেপ পেছনে চলে গেল।”
Turkish Geriye doğru “Araba geriye doğru hareket etti.”
Greek Πίσω (Píso) “Η οδός πήγε πίσω μετά από το θόρυβο.”
Hebrew אחורה (Akhora) “היא צעדה אחורה כדי לא ליפול.”
Swedish Bakåt “Han tog ett steg bakåt när han hörde ljudet.”
Norwegian Bakover “Hun gikk bakover for å unngå å snuble.”
Danish Bagud “Han gik bagud for at undgå at falde.”
Finnish Taaksepäin “Hän astui taaksepäin kuullessaan äänen.”
Polish Wstecz “On zrobił kilka kroków wstecz po usłyszeniu hałasu.”
Czech Zpět “Po uslyšení hluku udělal několik kroků zpět.”
Hungarian Hátrafelé “Hátra lépett néhány lépést a zaj hallatán.”
Romanian Înapoi “A făcut câțiva pași înapoi după ce a auzit zgomotul.”
Thai ถอยหลัง (Thǒi lǎng) “เขาก้าวถอยหลังหลังจากได้ยินเสียง.”
Vietnamese Lùi lại “Anh ta lùi lại vài bước sau khi nghe tiếng động.”
Indonesian Mundur “Dia melangkah mundur setelah mendengar suara.”
Malay Ke belakang “Dia melangkah ke belakang selepas mendengar bunyi.”
Swahili Nyuma “Alienda nyuma baada ya kusikia sauti.”
Filipino Pabalik “Naglakad siya pabalik para maiwasan ang pagkadapa.”
Arabic إلى الوراء (Ilā al-wara’) “مشى إلى الوراء بعد سماع الصوت.”
Tamil பின்னாடி (Piṉṉāṭi) “அவள் ரகசியத்தை கேட்டு பின்னாடி நடந்தாள்.”
Telugu వెనుక (Venuka) “ఆమె శబ్దం వినగానే వెనుకకు కొన్ని అడుగులు వెళ్ళింది.”
Punjabi ਪਿਛੇ (Pichhe) “ਉਸਨੇ ਆਵਾਜ਼ ਸੁਣ ਕੇ ਕੁਝ ਕਦਮ ਪਿਛੇ ਹਟੇ।”
Mongolian Ардаа (Ardaa) “Тэр дуу сонсож ардаа хэдэн алхам хийгээ.”
Turkmen Yza “Ol ses eşidip yzyna birneme basdy.”

Additional Examples:

  1. Spanish:
    • “Después del accidente, el coche empezó a moverse hacia atrás.”
    • “Ellos han retrocedido en sus esfuerzos por mejorar la situación.”
  2. French:
    • “Ils ont décidé de revenir en arrière après la réunion.”
    • “La société a pris quelques mesures en arrière.”
  3. Russian:
    • “Компания сделала несколько шагов назад в своей деятельности.”
    • “Они начали двигаться назад после нескольких неудач.”
  4. Arabic:
    • “تراجعت الشركة بعد أن كان لديها تقدم ملحوظ.”
    • “تخطى الجميع، لكنه سار إلى الوراء بعد ذلك.”

In the word “backwards,” we encounter a concept that implies both a physical and metaphorical reversal. Whether moving away from something, retracing steps, or observing regression, “backwards” plays a crucial role in language, emphasizing reversal or retreat. Across various languages, the essence of “backwards” remains consistent, symbolizing not just direction, but a reflection on change, retreat, and movement in reverse.

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